Uncapping Honey

[GSF]

I saw a you tube video on uncapping honey with a heat gun. I planned to sling some honey today so we bought one. The video explained that it worked best with white caps because the wet looking caps didn't have an air pocket in them.

I started out right with the uncapping fork, then I ran across some frames that I could use the heat gun on. I angled the gun and it worked beautifully. However, I did a taste test before I used the gun and after I used the gun. It changed the flavor, not a whole lot, but still. I'd give the honey not uncapped with the gun an A Plus. The one with the gun just gets an A.

Does anyone have any experience with this? I think from now on I'll stick with the fork.

[Intheswamp]

After using a heated decapping plane I've definitely tasted a difference from the cappings honey and the slung honey.  The heat affects it.  The slung honey is always better to me.  I'm debating on using a heated decapper or not when I put together my honey house.  A few years ago I watched OJ Blount decap a load for his large (30-40 frame???) extractor with a cold knife...he made it look easy.

Ed

[GSF]

Did you see where he laid that knife down at? (lol) Was there anything noteworthy about that knife? Teeth, long, short, brand?

[Intheswamp]

To be honest, the best I remember it looked like a long serrated bread knife. :)  I don't believe it had an offset handle as seen on some uncapping knives.

Ed

[BeeMaster2]

Gary,
I have one of those knives that you get from Mann Lake. It has the off set handle and works real well. Better, faster and easier than the fork. I do not do much of the decapping any more. My wife has taken that job from me.  :-D
She uses the knife for the main areas and touches it up with a fork or now, with the spiked roller that I also just bought from Mann Lake. The roller also works real well for touch up areas.
Jim

[GSF]

Jim, are you referring to a heated knife or a non heated one?

[BeeMaster2]

Jim, are you referring to a heated knife or a non heated one?

The non heated knife.
Jim

[Intheswamp]

Jim, how does the offset handle work?  I'm sure the uncapping knives aren't designed with the offset handles just to make them "different" so what's the advantage to it?

Thanks,
Ed

[GSF]

Back to the flavor, I'm not sure which batch I like best now. The one with the heat gun or the fork. They are both just great!

[BeeMaster2]

Jim, how does the offset handle work?  I'm sure the uncapping knives aren't designed with the offset handles just to make them "different" so what's the advantage to it?

Thanks,
Ed

Ed,
It puts the blade down below your hand. You can cut the caps off with out constantly bumping the wood frame.  I do like the way it works.
Jim

[jayj200]

the capping fork is best in my book smaller debris far less honey in the de-capping box.

all the caps can be filtered out easily. does not change the flavor of my honey.

with a screen box can sling out honey with ease.

scrape and crush what a mess! cold knife I tried that to too messy.

[hilltophermit]

I like the the roller with the spokes sticking out of it. Not sure what the proper name is. I keep it in a pan of hot, but not quite boiling water as i work. Keep a fork handy too for edges and deep spots.

[BeeMaster2]

I like the the roller with the spokes sticking out of it. Not sure what the proper name is. I keep it in a pan of hot, but not quite boiling water as i work. Keep a fork handy too for edges and deep spots.

How are you drying it out the Uncapping Punch?
Have you tested the water content of the honey after using tha technique.
We also use the Uncapping Punch but we never put it in water. It works fine without it.
We use it to finish up a frame to uncap low areas that the knife does not reach.
Jim

[hilltophermit]

Mr. Saw; Glad to see somebody else using this handy little device. Most people don’t know what I’m talking about. A brisk shaking will do. It's plastic, the water doesn’t stay with it . I have trouble with the wax and honey adhering to it , plugging it up and compromising its effectiveness to the point it will begin to tear cells. I never test the honey for water content, it's a non issue as far as I am concerned. If one is judicial and diligent in segregating out uncapped frames, there is no need.

[divemaster1963]

I like the the roller with the spokes sticking out of it. Not sure what the proper name is. I keep it in a pan of hot, but not quite boiling water as i work. Keep a fork handy too for edges and deep spots.

Where can you find one. How much do they run. I just got done building my wooden berral and making the spinning frame. I'm getting ready to pull before the fall flow in the next week so I may get one to try out.

John

[BeeMaster2]

John,
Here is the link to Mann Lake for the uncapping Punch. It is $25.00.
http://www.mannlakeltd.com/beekeeping-supplies/product/HD-467.html
Jim

[BeeMaster2]

Mr. Saw; Glad to see somebody else using this handy little device. Most people don’t know what I’m talking about. A brisk shaking will do. It's plastic, the water doesn’t stay with it . I have trouble with the wax and honey adhering to it , plugging it up and compromising its effectiveness to the point it will begin to tear cells. I never test the honey for water content, it's a non issue as far as I am concerned. If one is judicial and diligent in segregating out uncapped frames, there is no need.

Hilltop,
When I am handling the honey, I do not let any of my tools touch water unless I thoroughly dry it off before it touches the honey.
If you only have a small amount of honey and use it up right a way I will not be a problem but if you are using an extractor, you probably have more than you can eat in a month. A friend of mine brought a jar of honey to the club last night that he extracted at my house in June of this year. No water was added to it but  it was fermenting. It was at 19% and I showed him how to drip it to dry it out but I suspect the room air he dried it in was probably too humid.
Good luck.
Jim